Young guns to lead Tickford wildcard
By Thomas Miles
Date posted: 14 February 2025
Super2 pair Rylan Gray and Lochie Dalton will lead a third Tickford Mustang across four events during the 2025 Supercars Championship.
Tickford will expand to a three-car operation at the Perth, Darwin, Bend and Bathurst meetings this year as it gives two Super2 drivers a chance to shine.
Having made his debut in a wildcard at Sydney, Dalton will get another opportunity at the Perth SuperSprint.
At the next round the third Tickford Mustang will return, but with a different driver behind the wheel with impressive teenager Gray getting his first taste of Supercars.
Despite being only 19, he already has one Super2 season under his belt and finished seventh with two podiums.
Rylan Gray driving for Tickford’s Super2 team at Adelaide. Image: Peter Norton
The two youngsters will then join forces come the enduros at The Bend and Bathurst where neither have experienced in the main game.
Gray is excited to take on Supercars for the first time.
“I’m stoked to be stepping up into the main game and to be teaming up with Lochie for the enduros,” Gray said.
“We’ve got a great relationship, and I’m looking forward to sharing a seat with him.
“It’s a massive opportunity, and I can’t wait to get stuck in.”
In his two Supercars starts at Sydney last year, Dalton finished 22nd and 24th.
He is looking forward to the chance of building from that experience.
“I’m keen for another crack at the main game, kicking things off in Perth before teaming up with Rylan for the enduro season,” Dalton said.
“I can’t thank the team enough for giving me and my little mate a shot in the big leagues.
“It’s going to be a huge challenge, but I’m ready to take it on.”
Lochie Dalton on Supercars debut at Sydney. Image: Mark Horsburgh
Tickford CEO Simon Brookhouse said the team is passionate about providing its young drivers with chances to progress.
“Giving young drivers the opportunity to gain experience at the highest level is something we’re passionate about at Tickford Racing,” he said.
“Lochie and Rylan have both shown great potential in Super2, and stepping up as wildcard entries in the main game is the perfect next step in their development.
“We saw what Lochie was capable of when he made his wildcard debut last year, and adding Rylan into the mix for 2025 makes this an even more exciting programme.
“Competing in both Super2 and the enduros will be a massive challenge, but we believe in their talent and can’t wait to see what they can achieve.”
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